Unless I missed it I have noticed there is no thread for Energy owners so I thought I'd start one.

Just a place to discuss information about what line of speakers you have, what you use them for (ie music, HT etc) and what system you match them with. Its also great to hear about the different lines that Energy carry and am curious to hear what owners have to say (like the new Reference Connoisseur for instance).

I am currently running the Take 5 system with the e:XL-S10 sub. However I have recently purchased the Connoisseur Line including:

Fronts: C-3 Bookshelf
Center: C-C1 Center
Surround: C-R3's.

I run the Take's with a Onkyo TX-DS656 Receiver (soon to be replaced) and a Toshiba DVD player. New LCD to make the whole package complete soon..:-)

I recently became an Energy dealer and have nothing but good things to say about the new Reference Connoisseur line. The floorstanders are great and the subwoofers are excellent performers. I personally have the V2.3i in a bedroom system with a Krell intregrated. Energy is a great brand that is the one of the few that makes their own drivers. You will love your Connoisseur setup.

Can you tell me how the Reference Connoisseur line stacks up to the Veritas line? I have C-9's now and they sound great, but now that I am moving into a dedicated theater, I want to move up a little, can you tell me how big of a leap is the reference is to the original Connoisseur and also how big is the leap from the Connoisseur to the veritas line? Thanks!

I'm glad to see this thread. I've asked a few questions regarding Energy's and have not had much of a response. So, I'll ask you guys since you have some experience and hopefully you'll be able to point me in the right direction.

I have an old pair of Energy bookshelves that I really like, their driven by an equally old Denon receiver. I've had both since new and have had no complaints.

We're building new construction and are not sure which way to go. Following are the characteristics:

14x19 family room on first floor, cathedral ceiling all the way to second floor roofline. Open through columns to dining room on one end.
We'd like to start with a 5.1 system. Not really big movie fans, more sports. I'd say 65/35 music/movies. But, with two kids under 5, neither are extremely important at the moment. I'd like something that has a nice sound, but considering the circumstances, don't really want to spend a lot.

I'm looking at both the Act 6 and the Take series. When they discuss appropriate room sizes, I'm not sure where our room falls. If the Act 6 will do the job, I'd go ahead and do the system. If the Act won't do the job, I'd start with fronts and a sub and expand from there. If the Take series is the way to go, should I go with the LCR or the FPS?

The room is fair volumous, so the extra headroom of the larger Take series would be a safer bet IMO especially with music. The LCR for the fronts and the Sats for the rears would be the minimum I'd go for, matched with a sub.

You could also consider the C-100 series bookshelf's with wall mounts that should give you a nice full bodied sound.

The main reason for me switching from the Take system I currently run (which btw is an amazing little system!) to the Connoisseur Line is that we are moving to a loft condo where the living room (15x11) will have a 17ft ceiling and open design. Add to this a lot of windows and hardwood floors and needless to say its not the perfect HT room and there is a lot of volume to fill.

I'm still convinced the Take speakers would do a decent job but for the price I know that the larger Connoisseur will "fill" the room better.

So I'm no expert but you seem to be filling a simliar size room and the larger speakers will likely accomplish this with more warmth and less db's.

Can you tell me how the Reference Connoisseur line stacks up to the Veritas line? I have C-9's now and they sound great, but now that I am moving into a dedicated theater, I want to move up a little, can you tell me how big of a leap is the reference is to the original Connoisseur and also how big is the leap from the Connoisseur to the veritas line? Thanks!

The leap from the Connoisseur to the Reference line is pretty large. Much better driver materials (kevlar) with ribbed surrounds to reduce distortion. The Ref. series has a wider dispersion to match more of the Veritas sound. I find they work best in a carpeted room not hardwood. The fit and finish of these things are pretty incredible given the price. The Veritas line IMO is one of the best designed speakers out there period. I have dealt with many many (maybe too many) so-called hi-end speakers and the Veritas will hold their own with anything. The tweeter in the Veritas and Reference Connoisseur are the same so you will get the very distinct Veritas sounding tweeter. However, the soundstage and midbass from the Veritas are pretty unbeatable. The dome midrange receates so much dimensionality. The midbass drivers have dual voice coils so these things really kick if you run a good amplifier to them. The Reference Connoisseurs can be driven by a decent receiver. The Veritas NEED a separate amplifier to sound like they were meant to sound.

I love the Veritas, but IMO the Ref. Conn. are incredible performing speakers and if you are in the market the should be on your list.

Unless I missed it I have noticed there is no thread for Energy owners so I thought I'd start one.

Just a place to discuss information about what line of speakers you have, what you use them for (ie music, HT etc) and what system you match them with. Its also great to hear about the different lines that Energy carry and am curious to hear what owners have to say (like the new Reference Connoisseur for instance).

I am currently running the Take 5 system with the e:XL-S10 sub. However I have recently purchased the Connoisseur Line including:

Fronts: C-3 Bookshelf
Center: C-C1 Center
Surround: C-R3's.

I run the Take's with a Onkyo TX-DS656 Receiver (soon to be replaced) and a Toshiba DVD player. New LCD to make the whole package complete soon..:-)
So, post your Energy set-ups and opinions.

Thanks

Could you compare the sound of the Take 5 system to that of the Connoisseurs?
I own the Take 5.2 system and really like how they sound

I can but unfortunately I will not be setting the Connoisseur's until we move into our new place which is in early March.

I have listened to the Connoisseur's extensively at the dealers, mostly in stereo setup. And with the help of a sub they produce a serious soundstage in comparison to the Take's in stereo mode. The Take's produce extremely well in 5.1 Stereo or Surround but they are pretty weak (for obvious reason, their size) with just two speakers.

So I won't know what the whole package will sound like until later and even then, the room size that I will be filling compared to now is quite a bit more. I'm really hoping to be able to produce a similar sound with the Connoisseur Line in my larger room to the Take's in a smaller room, perhaps with a bit more clarity and better mid-range. If I can accomplish this I will be happy.

The leap from the Connoisseur to the Reference line is pretty large. .

I agree even though I thought there would be little difference initially....I originally thought it would sound more or less the same (due to the idea that they seem to use the same tweeters), but the details and quickness of the sound was uncanny.

I heard the RC-30 and tranparency was noticeably better, less boxy sounding.

I've not heard the RC line, but I own V2.4i's and they're wonderful speakers. From top to bottom they do everything I could ask. All front end equipment is Krell and I do have the supplemented down low with a Velodyne sub, however I sometimes don't bother to turn it on.

I haven't listened to the Veritas line in a HT setup though, but I'd be surprised if they were anything less than very good.

I got a pair of Energy RC-70 just before Christmas and thought I would put my two cents in. I have been very happy with them. They are detailed but not bright. I thought the mid range on the RC-70s was very good and is what impressed me the most. I was able to pick up some details in male voices that I had missed before. After getting them, I listened to one of my favorite CDs and noticed for the first time that 2 people were singing one part instead of just one person. There was a small amount of separation or detail now present had not been there before.
I'm a biased Energy owner I guess but for what it is worth I have listened to Paradigm Monitor 11, Paradigm Studio 60s and Martin Logan Mosaics a great deal the past few months and I prefer the Energy RC-70s over all of them. The Monitor 11 where nice but I thought they were bright. The Studio 60s are also great speakers but seemed to be a little bright to me as well. The mid range and bass was better, tighter than the Monitors. The Mosaics sounded great for some CDs and pretty bad on others. At times it would almost seem like the vocals would get lost or over powered but what was going on around them.

Glad to see this thread. I am currently right in the middle of purchasing my first HT. I have decided on all of the pieces except speakers. The ONLY HT shop (less CC & BB) in my area carries Infinity and Energy. I am currently considering (based on rave reports from my salesman) 2 Energy scenarios:
1) Ref Con. 30 for the left and right front speakers, Ref Con LCR for the center, Ref Con Rc-R or RC-10 for the surrounds, and Ref Con RC-10 sub. - The issue I have with this option is b/c of kids I prefer everything mounted on the wall. Obviously the RC 30's are not and I have been told the RC-LCR would have to be placed on a stand.
2) Either Take FPS or Take LCR for all 3 front speakers mounted on wall around TV. Surrounds and Sub would be the same as option 1.

The room is about 12x17 8' ceilings. Receiver will be a Pioneer VSX-56TXi. Will be watching movies/sports 99% of the time.

My questions are - Is the Pioneer a good fit for Energy speakers. Based on room size, utilization, etc would option 1 be significantly better performing than either option 2?

Again, I would rather have as many things mounted on wall as possible. Components will all be wired from outside the room.

If its any consolation I talked to a Energy dealer the other day about the Connoisseur line as well as the RC line and he was absolutely insistent on matching Energy speakers with a Denon receiver. He has used Marantz, Onkyo and others on Energy speakers and he felt the Denon was the best match. He convinced me and I'll be waiting for the AVR-2807 from Denon to show up before I upgrade receivers. Having said that I think the 56TXi is a pretty good receiver as well.

You have a pretty big room. I would think the RC line would be a BIG advantage in both clarity (quality) and sound staging. IF you want things set away from the kids maybe go with the RC-10's and place them high enough on top of the bookshelf or whatever to keep them safe.

I was using the act6 surround package as my home theater system for about a year but decided to go to 7.1 I recently purchased c-500's and also a c-c100 and am still using 4 of the act6 satellites as my surrrounds. I'm thinking about getting 4 c-r100's or c-r1's to replace the act6 satellites. Anyone have an opinion on this or will there not be much change going to new surround speakers? If anyone has the c-r100's or the c-r1's, what's your opinion on them?
Thanks Mike

FWIW We've been running Energys for ~ 7 years here in a 5.1 setup and have been happy with the performance. We do need more low end - the sub was selected based upon the remaining funds at the time . . .

Currently driven by a Denon 3802. Started out with a Yammy 2095 that was promoted to the afterlife by a bolt from on high that struck about 30' away (outside). Funny that the amp was the only component affected . . . but some things work in mysterious ways.

Last September I purchased the RC-30's, RC-LCR and a RC-10SUB all in Cherry. I am still waiting to get the sub but have really enjoyed the Reference Connoisseur Line. In the mean time I am using a Velodyne SPL-R 12" sub that I can exchange if I like the RC10-Sub better.

I upgraded to the RC-70's from the C-5's and I can say there is no comparison. The RC-70's is a step up in every way and I think the reference series can easily compete with any other speakers out there in the same price category on sound quality and build quality. The speakers just look great -- no visible seams, wood veneer, kevlar.

The speakers really open up after break-in and I've experimented with powering them with a HK avr, Adcom amp and Rotel amp. The speakers will still sound great with minimal juice but really shine when you pump at least 100wpc into them.

Since I got the RC-70s when the Good Guys went out of business at a substantial discount, I think I'll be hard-pressed to find any speakers that will justify replacing these babies (without spend a lot more).

Last September I purchased the RC-30's, RC-LCR and a RC-10SUB all in Cherry. I am still waiting to get the sub but have really enjoyed the Reference Connoisseur Line. In the mean time I am using a Velodyne SPL-R 12" sub that I can exchange if I like the RC10-Sub better.

Just curious if your dealer has given you any speculative dates as to when the sub will be available? I was looking at upgrading my s10.3 to the RC12 since my wholesaler has it listed, yet they don't have any in stock and don't know when Energy is going to start shipping them.

Which new front should I get? The new RC-70's or the older C-9's? Normally, I'd just go with "newer is better" but maybe the C-9's are better matched to the rest of my setup? Or should I just keep my 20 year old Pro-22's?

Which new front should I get? The new RC-70's or the older C-9's? Normally, I'd just go with "newer is better" but maybe the C-9's are better matched to the rest of my setup? Or should I just keep my 20 year old Pro-22's?

The RC series sounds noticeably improved to the c-series, I could not in my heart go with the "inferior" C-series knowing the RC is out there. Even the RC-30 or RC-50 is a nice improvement.

I believe the MSRP of the C-9's was $1300. The new RC-50's cost $1500 so unless I was getting some liquidation pricing on the discontinued C-9's, I would agree with the above and just spend a little more for the RC-50's. The sound quality on the reference series is clearly a cut above. Or, better yet, get the RC-70's.

Just curious if your dealer has given you any speculative dates as to when the sub will be available? I was looking at upgrading my s10.3 to the RC12 since my wholesaler has it listed, yet they don't have any in stock and don't know when Energy is going to start shipping them.

I got an email from Scott Goodman at Energy indicating that they would be announcing shipping dates for the RC Subs soon. He mentioned that it would worth waiting for these subs.

I've not heard the RC line, but I own V2.4i's and they're wonderful speakers. From top to bottom they do everything I could ask. All front end equipment is Krell and I do have the supplemented down low with a Velodyne sub, however I sometimes don't bother to turn it on.

I haven't listened to the Veritas line in a HT setup though, but I'd be surprised if they were anything less than very good.

Id really love the hear the Veritas' with some good Krell equipment.

My current set-up is the 2.3i's, 2.0Ci center, Sonance TR-4000 in-ceiling surrounds (only place for rears in my home and I plan to upgrade with Energy in-ceilings), SVS20-39PCi sub (also looking for something a bit more musical, great sub for HT), Outlaw model-755 amp and 950 pre-processor (looking at the 990), and Sony DVP NS999ES multi-format for source (waiting for HDDVD, hope I can hold out).

The Veritas' forte are music for sure, but they are just as good for HT. One of the reasons I like them so well is their capability to excel at both. BTW, before my center came in I spent allot of time watching movies and concerts utilizing only the two speakers and they were superb. A case could be made for using just the two for sure.

Actually, I really never thought Id convert to multichannel for music, but properly mixed SACD's sound awesome. I'm going in that direction slowly, but surely; kicking and screaming.

I, like you, don't use my sub for music unless necessary. Hard to beat the bass quality of the Veritas and I hate to interfere.

Better stop, many have already read enough of my ravings about the Veritas' so I'll let some others sing their praise. I already know what a gem the are.

Id really love the hear the Veritas' with some good Krell equipment.
.....
Better stop, many have already read enough of my ravings about the Veritas' so I'll let some others sing their praise. I already know what a gem the are.

I agree. The Veritas are awesome, and they do seem to sound better as you throw better sources/amps at them. I'd hate to buy them because it would likely make me want to upgrade the whole rest of my system.

When I first heard them, my mouth was wide open with disbelief at how completely they disappeared. So natural sounding. If I had the room for the 2.4i's, I would have easily grabbed them since factory seconds are available for a great price (just cosmetic flaws)

I have the C9's for my mains and C3's for my surrounds and center. I have an extra C3 for rear center, athough my bedroom size doesn't permit it with my new projector setup. I got the speakers on closeout and spent....about $1100 shipped for all 6 speakers. Don't think you can beat that.

Speakers are on a Pio 54tx, athough I got a carvin DCM2500 that will put out 500W x 2 @ 8ohms for my mains. That's gonna be sick.